The Army has been given the go ahead to begin full-rate production (FRP) and fielding of its mobile, communication, command and control network.
Referred to offhand and the service’s “tactical internet,” the warfighter information network-tactical (WIN-T) is the backbone of the Army’s network modernization effort to integrate combat vehicles with on-the-move communications, mission command and situational awareness information that can be securely shared across the battlefield.
WIN-T increment two, which a Defense Acquisition Board on June 8 approved for FRP, provides dismounted soldiers operating in remote environments to maintain voice, video and data communications while on patrol.
Army divisions deployed to Afghanistan already have used WIN-T increment two in support of regional advise-and-assist and other missions from remote locations and difficult terrain, Col. Ed Swanson, WIN-T project manager, said in a statement.
“With this Defense Department decision, we can proceed into full rate production, fielding WIN-T Increment 2 in accordance with Army staff prioritization,” he said.
Full-rate production will run through 2028, but the program was designed with open architecture in mind to allow for continuous technical refresh throughout its lifecycle.
The Army “will continue to improve, enhance and simplify WIN-T Increment 2 capability through technical refreshment and engineering change proposals.”
Photo: General Dynamics
The network has been integrated with Mine-Resistant, Ambush-Protected (MRAP) vehicle, Humvees and Stryker armored fighting vehicles in four division headquarters and 12 brigade combat teams. Units that operated with WIN-T in Afghanistan found it useful in supporting security force assistance brigades after the U.S. military began retrograde operations and dismantled its fixed forward operating bases, according to the Army’s command, control and communications program office.
“As fixed network infrastructure was dismantled and forward operating bases closed down during retrograde operations, Security Force Assistance Brigades were still able to conduct their missions and effectively communicate by employing the satellite and terrestrial communication and mission command capabilities of WIN-T Increment 2,” the Army said.
The system was implemented in summer 2014 to provide communications for humanitarian operations in West African in response to the Ebola virus outbreak, the company said.
Manufacturer General Dynamics [GD] said the system provides troops with the same fidelity of communications available from a fixed command post. The company produces WIN-T systems at its Taunton, Mass. facility.
The Army’s decision to proceed to full-rate production greenlights the fielding of WIN-T to all remaining units in the program through 2028.
“This is an important milestone and we’ll continue to support the Army as it fields this vital mission command and communications system throughout its global force,” Chris Marzilli, president of General Dynamics Mission Systems, said in a statement.